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Influenza and Bird 'Flu

written by the experts at Helios Homeopathic Pharmacy BIRD FLU Due to the current reports of an approaching bird flu epidemic, we have been inundated with questions. Here are a few suggestions for homeopathic remedies which can be used to...

written by the experts at Helios Homeopathic Pharmacy

BIRD FLU

Due to the current reports of an approaching bird flu epidemic, we have been inundated with questions. Here are a few suggestions for homeopathic remedies which can be used to prevent flu, some to treat the acute phase and others to speed up recovery.

Influenza is an infection of the respiratory tract often accompanied with symptoms of fever, aching, sore throats, coughs and sometimes gastric problems. It lasts 2-5 days or longer, often leaving the person debilitated for some time afterwards. The elderly and vulnerable are more at risk of complications.

It is important for those more at risk to seek professional help from their homeopath or health practitioner now. Constitutional treatment is the best way for anyone to strengthen the immune system and Helios would recommend consulting a homoeopath.

At present we do not have a nosode, 'a remedy made from the disease material', because the virus has not spread from human to human. However, we do have existing remedies which have been used successfully over many years to treat all stages of flu. These are effective and safe for everyone from babies to the elderly.

HOMOEOPATHIC PROPHYLAXIS

Homoeopathic treatment has been shown to be very effective in the treatment of epidemic diseases. However it must be stressed that there is at present only anecdotal proof that homoeopathic prophylaxis works.

Many homoeopaths feel that your best protection against disease comes from looking after your health generally and taking simple, common-sense preventative measures as well as constitutional treatment from a practitioner.

The following remedies and dosages have an anecdotal reputation for increasing resistance.

Influenzium/Bacillinum 30 - One dose once a month during the winter months to prevent flu. If there is an epidemic - one dose 3 times a week.

Anas Barb 200 - This can be used to prevent flu and one dose is taken once a month or, when flu develops, one dose every 12 hours for 3 days.

Echinacea mother tincture - Echinacea is active against both viral and bacterial disease pathogens, and is invaluable in the treatment and prevention of all infectious diseases. It can be taken in a lesser degree as prevention: 5 drops daily - and increased to 15 drops during an epidemic. It can also be used for several weeks after flu, if symptoms persist.

It is important to eat a healthy diet including lots of vegetables and fresh fruit. A good multivitamin and extra vitamin C (see below) are also useful preventatives.

THE ACUTE STAGE

AGE - Arsenicum-iodatum/Gelsemium/Eupatorium 30 - A combination remedy - this can be used as a prophylactic in the same way as the above remedies or, and as soon as any symptoms develop or after contact - one 3 times a day until symptoms improve.

Aconite 30 - Sudden onset from cold winds or getting chilled. Fever and chill, restlessness and anxiety, good at the first stage of cold or flu.

Bryonia 30 - Keynote: any movement causes pain - wants to be still. Painful dry cough. Headache and pains, better from pressure and worse movement. Irritable and thirsty for cold drinks.

Camphora 30 - Icy coldness - yet doesn't want covers on - but is sensitive to cold - wants cold drinks. A state of sudden collapse, snacking, wants carers as ally during hot stage of fever. Anxious.

Eupatorium perfoliatum - intense aching in back, limbs and especially bones - which feel broken. Sore skin and muscles, shivering, chills. Thirst for cold water but may vomit food, drink and bile. Headache with nausea, sore chest with cough.

Nux Vomica 30 - Extreme chilliness - shivery, cannot get warm despite heat. May have fever but feels freezing inside. Aching limbs and gastric problems - nausea. Better from sleep, hot drinks, strong pressure and being left alone.

Gelsemium30 - Aching, tiredness and weakness felt expecially in muscles and limbs. Drowsy, dull, apathetic, dizzy and trembling. Heavy eyelids with bruising headache from the neck to head and forehead. Chill and heat. No thirst.

AFTER INFLUENZA

Tuberculinum Aviare 200 - This is an excellent remedy for clearing up symptoms after flu, especially when the lungs have been affected, Coughs are irritating, incessant and tickling. There is great debility and weight loss and lack of appetite. This remedy braces up the whole organism, reduces coughs and brings back the appetite. 3 doses in 12 hours. One of the following may also be needed:

China - continued debility and chilliness - anaemic and weak with desire to stretch and move. Worse on alternate days.

Kali Phosphoricum - General weakness with spasm - the slightest labour seems like a heavy task.

Phosphoric Acid - Chronic fatigue after flu. Better from warmth, sleep. Feels apathetic, dull, settled despair, indifferent to everything. Low continued fevers. The above can be taken either in a 6C potency 3 times a day or a 30 potency twice a day.

GENUS EPIDEMICUS

This is a remedy which matches the common symptoms of the disease as it manifests in the population when there is an epidemic. Although it is too early to say what these will be as an epidemic has not yet manifested there was an article in the Telegraph recently which detailed the symptoms of a survivor of the H5N1 virus. The symptoms as described in the article have been repertorised by a homoeopath and three remedies were strongly indicated - Antimonium Tart., Ipecacuanha and Sanguinaria.

The appropriate remedy can be taken in the 30C potency - one 3 times a day until symptoms improve up to a maximum of 5 days. If no improvement after that time consider another remedy, or better still consult a homoeopath or health practitioner.

Posted on March 15, 2006 10:03 PM

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